Fears over Lincolnshire landscape lead to refusal for wind farm mast

A TEMPORARY wind monitoring mast has been refused permission because it will affect unspoilt views over the landscape.

Gaoh Energy Ltd applied to East Lindsey District Council for planning permission to site the meteorological wind monitoring mast on land west of Tinkle Street, Grimoldby.

Fred Collins, of Manby and Gromoldby Parish Council, said the mast could eventually lead to the approval of a wind farm.

The area currently enjoys unspoilt views of Louth St James' Church.

He said: "The east coast landscape is being eroded to the point of saturation by wind farms.

"This application is far too close to the village of Grimoldby, it is 900m to the nearest house. The majority of our residents have voiced an opinion against it."

Ward Councillor Terry Knowles said: "It is totally the wrong place. By turning down this application, it will send out a powerful message to this speculator.

"How could anybody dare to blight the lives of people in my village who enjoy views of the wolds, Louth and St James' Church."

The committee turned down the application because they considered it would have a detrimental effect on the landscape.

The application could not be judged on the fact it could lead to a future wind farm application.

But Councillor Steve O'Dare felt it should be approved.

He said: "From my mind, there is no planning reason to actually turn this down. I do not believe a mast of that type is going to effect the visual outlook towards Louth."

Councillor Stuart Watson said companies like Goah Energy Ltd should be making more use of data already gathered by other authorities and organisations to determine if it has a suitable wind speed.

Following the decision, Councillor Terry Knowles said: "Everyone in Grimoldby is absolutely over the moon and we feel turning this mast down is an important milestone against the saturation of our landscape by wind farms."